Potato market in Bulgaria

Earlier Report Observations

The Bulgarian potato market contracted significantly from 2018 to 2023, with its volume falling from 300 thousand tons to 169 thousand tons. This decline was primarily driven by a sharp, continuous drop in domestic production, which more than halved over the period. Key factors included a sustained reduction in cultivation areas due to high interest rates for local farmers compared to their EU counterparts, which hindered investments. Growing competition from cheaper European imports, particularly from Germany and later France, consistently pressured local producers, while imported planting material introduced new diseases, forcing changes in variety strategies.

From 2021 onward, the market's decline continued despite a rising import volume, which only partially offset the falling production. Domestic output was further hampered by recurring high temperatures and climate change, which adversely affected potato quality and storage. Concurrently, consumer preferences shifted towards processed potato products, stimulating the processing sector but not reversing the overall market contraction. The introduction of new disease-resistant varieties and emerging niches for processed goods provided some market adaptation, yet could not counteract the strong competitive pressure from EU imports and the underlying challenges in domestic production.

Production potato in Bulgaria

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of potato, 2017-2020

World map of production of potato, 2017-2020

Bulgaria's potato production has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 192.3 thousand tons of potatoes, which represents a 2.6% decrease compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 15.6%, with an average annual decline of 5.5%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 261.7 thousand tons, marking a 14.9% increase from the previous year. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, when production fell by 24.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Bulgaria in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports potato from Bulgaria

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market environment. From the low in 2017 to the high in 2018, export volumes varied by a factor of 17. In 2020, Bulgaria exported 2 629 tons of potatoes, which is 30.6% less than in 2019. The peak export volume was recorded in 2018 at 4 048 tons, representing a massive increase of 1 621.6% from the previous year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Bulgaria in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Greece was clearly the dominant destination for Bulgaria's potato exports in volume terms, accounting for 86.1% of total shipments. Other countries each held significantly smaller shares.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Bulgaria in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. From the low in 2017 to the high in 2018, export values varied by a factor of 17. In 2020, potato shipments from Bulgaria abroad amounted to 737 thousand US dollars, a reduction of 21.6% compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 1 668 thousand US dollars, which was a 1 578.1% increase from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 43.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Bulgaria in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Throughout 2017–2020, Greece remained the primary destination for Bulgaria's potato exports in value terms, taking 74.3% of total flows. The remaining share was distributed across various smaller markets.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Bulgaria in value, 2017-2020

Imports potato to Bulgaria

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year decline, potato imports to Bulgaria increased in 2020. The country imported 42 243 tons of potatoes, corresponding to a controlled gain of 8.9% compared to 2019. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 42 243 tons. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a decrease of 9.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Bulgaria in kind, 2017-2020, t

Over the period 2017–2020, France, Germany, and Greece consistently held the leading positions in Bulgaria's potato imports by volume. France accounted for 35.1% of imports, Germany for 28.1%, and Greece for 13.2%. Together, these three countries made up 76.5% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Bulgaria in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Bulgaria imported approximately 10 868 thousand US dollars worth of potatoes, reflecting a decrease of 29.3% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 10 625 thousand US dollars. The maximum value occurred in 2019 at 15 382 thousand US dollars, marking a 44.8% increase from 2018.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Bulgaria in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, France, Germany, and Greece were the main sources of Bulgaria's potato imports in value terms. France accounted for 35.8% of imports, Germany for 22.7%, and Greece for 11.8%. Together, these three countries represented 70.3% of total import value.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Bulgaria in value, 2017-2020